Fr Gopu Anand – A man of God, a valiant pioneer and champion of the poor and young – SALESIAN PROVINCE OF ST JOSEPH, HYDERABAD

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Salesian Province of St Joseph, Hyderabad, commemorated the first death anniversary of Fr Gopu Anand on 7 April 2018, at Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram. It has been a great loss for the Province, the family members, students and all the people he knew. It is difficult to digest this fact that he is no more with us but he will always stay in our hearts and never forgotten.

The solemn Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Fr. Provincial together with 25 other Salesian priests, Salesian brothers at Karunapuram, the Salesian Sisters and the Family members of Fr Gopu Anand.

Fr. Vijaya Bhaskar the provincial, in his homily expressed that whenever he looks at the photos of the deceased confreres, he still is unable to accept the fact of the untimely death of Fr Anand. Quoting Fr. Lenti’s book he said “ Don Bosco died a death of a saint because he believed in providence of GOD for everything he did on earth” he continued saying that it was the same case with Fr Anand, who believed completely in the providence of God.

Don Bosco while preaching retreat to his sons just before his death he said “a religious should be busy with business of saving the souls of the people who are in our care” indeed these are true in the case of Fr Anand too, he was always busy about his business of saving the souls of the poor and abandoned children. He didn’t care of about his health or his well being. His entire though was focused on the education of the children under his care. Even on his sick bed, he thought only of the welfare of Don Bosco Academy. He corresponded regularly with benefactors for sustenance. This shows that he is the perfect epitome of man with a vision for the mission as it mentioned in the constitution “work and temperance is the hallmark of the Salesian” .

As St. Theresa of Lisieux said my mission begins after the death, we believe that Fr Anand’s mission continues as he intercedes for us from Heaven.

Let us, as we pray for the soul of Fr Anand, we ask that he may listen to God telling him, “Come good and faith full servant enter in to the joy of life” and from the bosom of our Heavenly Father may he intercede for us.